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A New Year, A Renewed Commitment

Lacy L Durham

A New Year, A Renewed Commitment
10'000 Hours via Getty Images

As we settle into the new year, we are reminded of the power of renewal—the opportunity to refocus our energies, reaffirm our values, and recommit to the principles that guide us. At the heart of our work lies an unwavering dedication to the rule of law, the safeguarding of civil rights, and the advancement of social justice for all.

The challenges we face are complex and evolving. Threats to democracy, inequities in access to justice, and systemic barriers to equality demand our vigilance and action. Yet, the start of a new year offers us more than a chance to reflect—it offers us hope. It is a call to reimagine what is possible and to press forward with bold determination.

Protecting the rule of law means ensuring that justice is not just an aspiration but a reality for every individual, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, or place of origin. Safeguarding civil rights means standing firm against oppression and discrimination, refusing to let the voices of the marginalized go unheard. Advancing social justice means committing to transformative change that uplifts communities and builds a foundation of fairness and equity for generations to come.

To that end, we are committed to remaining vigilant and reinstituting the Rapid Response initiative which continues to address urgent civil rights issues as they arise. This initiative allows us to quickly mobilize resources and support for critical actions, ensuring that our collective voice is heard in moments that matter most. Likewise, we are forward thinking and passionate about ushering in the next generation of civil rights lawyer and social just advocates through our upcoming Civil Rights Boot Camp virtual programming.

In 2025, let us resolve to be even stronger advocates, allies, and stewards of justice. Let us engage in hard conversations, educate ourselves and others, and take bold action when action is needed. Together, we are not just defenders of the principles we hold dear—we are architects of a brighter and more just future.

May this year bring clarity to our purpose, vigilance to our values, courage to our hearts, and more progress to our shared mission. Your support, whether through active participation, advocacy, or financial contributions, is invaluable. The work ahead will not be easy, but it will be meaningful, and it will be ours to do—together.

Warm regards,

Lacy L. Durham
Chair, ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section

The Time is Now

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

  • Virtual Meeting and Father Drinan Award
    • Honoring Richard Soden: We are delighted to celebrate Richard Soden, for 2025 Father Drinan Award honoree during our upcoming virtual meeting. Richard's unwavering dedication to civil rights and social justice exemplifies the spirit of this award. Register here to join us at the January 23 reception honoring Richard. All are welcome to attend.
  • ABA Midyear Meeting in Phoenix
    • Register and join us in Phoenix for the ABA Midyear Meeting. This gathering will provide an excellent opportunity to engage with peers, discuss pressing issues, and collaborate on advancing our mission. Your presence and participation are crucial to our continued success.
  • ABA Presidential Appointments
    • The work we do in the ABA is important and requires hundreds of committed volunteers working with our committed staff.  Those volunteers are appointed through the annual presidential appointments process.  The deadline for all submissions is February 10, 2025. Please visit the Presidential Committee Appointments 2025-2026 page to submit your application. We urge you to submit your application well before the February 10 deadline to avoid system delays that may occur due to heavy use close to the deadline.
    •  If you are interested and/or have already applied, please contact Section Director and Chief Counsel, Paula Shapiro.
  • Inaugural Civil Rights Boot Camp
    • Mark your calendars for March 7, 2025 and March 14, 2025 for our inaugural Civil Rights Boot Camp. This two-part series will equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for civil rights. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your advocacy toolkit.
  • Spring Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico
    • Join the ABA State and Local Government Law Section, the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, and the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity for an unforgettable joint Spring Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from April 24 -27, 2025!  Dive into thought-provoking CLE programs addressing critical legal topics, participate in a meaningful school service project, expand your network at exclusive events, and explore the beauty of Puerto Rico with optional tours. This is more than a conference—it’s a unique blend of education, service, and relaxation. Connect with like-minded professionals, gain valuable insights, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico! Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Stay tuned for more information.

How Things Work: Legal Edition

CRSJ is developing a new rapid-response video series premiering throughout the year, available on-demand! These short, engaging programs break down key legal developments by explaining the administration’s action, its impact on civil rights and daily life, and steps attorneys and advocates can take. To get involved, view the topics and submit an idea.

California Wildfires Highlight Disparities

As wildfires continue to impact California, our communities need our support now more than ever. These unfortunate events have once again brought to light significant civil rights and social justice challenges, revealing stark disparities in how different communities experience and recover from disasters. Thousands have been displaced, exacerbating housing insecurity in a state already struggling with an affordable housing crisis. Certain demographics including the elderly, disabled individuals, low-income residents, and undocumented individuals are particularly vulnerable, as they often lack access to resources such as emergency savings, adequate insurance, or transportation to evacuate. Many face discrimination when seeking assistance, including denial of services at shelters or unequal treatment in accessing relief funds and temporary housing. Undocumented residents, fearing deportation or legal repercussions, may avoid seeking aid altogether, leaving them even more at risk. These inequities highlight the ongoing need for systemic changes to ensure that disaster response, relief, and recovery efforts are accessible to all, regardless of income, immigration status, or other factors.

This is also a critical reminder that all victims have civil rights and protections that should remain in place at all levels of government, even during declared emergencies. It is generally unlawful to discriminate against people based on protected characteristics, such as race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and national origin. These protections apply to a broad range of activities, including equal and fair access to emergency shelters, temporary accommodations, leave from work, and goods and services including homeowner’s insurance. Under California law, victims’ rights remain protected against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

  • Emergency Shelters: Emergency facilities and temporary accommodations must not deny services or treat individuals unfairly due to their identity, including disabilities or undocumented status
  • Employment Leave:  Workers have the right to take leave for safety concerns or bereavement without fear of retaliation under both civil rights and labor laws. Workers who need to take time off for many reasons, including for bereavement leave or unsafe conditions during disasters should be able to do so without job impairment.
  • Homeowners’ Insurance:  Fair housing laws prohibit homeowners’ insurance companies from discriminatory practices, such as denying claims or charging higher premiums based on protected characteristics.
  • Goods and Services Needed: Businesses must generally ensure equal access to goods and services and cannot change how they provide services, who they allow to use their services, or the prices they charge based on protected characteristics.

Upholding these rights during disasters is essential to ensuring that recovery efforts are just and inclusive, leaving no one behind. Please consider supporting the ABA with Disaster Legal Servies by volunteering and/or, donating at ambar.org/ntmmrqqv Bill Bay recent email and efforts.

2025 Executive Orders Civil Right Impacts

In recent news, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders that have significant implications for civil rights and social justice in the United States that impact the work of the Section and have significant legal consequences. One of the most consequential orders aims to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, a move that challenges the long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment. This action is expected to face immediate legal challenges and has raised concerns about the potential statelessness of affected children.

Additionally, the President issued an order defining gender strictly as male or female based on biological sex at birth, effectively eliminating federal recognition of non-binary and transgender identities. The policy calls include agencies to stop using gender identity or preferred pronouns and maintain women-only spaces in prisons and shelters.  This has been met with strong opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who assert that it undermines the rights and recognition of transgender and non-binary individuals.

Furthermore, the administration has targeted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and staff, issuing orders to dismantle such initiatives within federal agencies.

  • Ending Birthright Citizenship: One order is an attempt to stop granting automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the country if their parents are undocumented immigrants. This challenges a long-standing interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' status. If implemented, this policy could leave many children without citizenship in any country, raising fears of statelessness and legal battles over the constitutionality of the order. Critics argue this move unfairly targets immigrant families and could create significant bureaucratic and social issues.
  • Gender Identity Redefined: Another order defines gender solely as male or female based on biological sex assigned at birth. This means the federal government would no longer recognize transgender and non-binary identities. Federal agencies would stop using gender identity or preferred pronouns and limit access to women-only spaces, like shelters and prisons, based on birth-assigned sex. This has drawn strong opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates, who say the policy erases the rights and recognition of transgender and non-binary people, exposing them to increased discrimination and harm.
  • Dismantling Diversity Programs: Trump also ordered the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and staff from federal agencies. DEI initiatives aim to address workplace discrimination and create more inclusive environments. Critics of the order argue that dismantling these programs sends a message that systemic inequality and underrepresentation are no longer priorities for the federal government, potentially worsening disparities for marginalized groups.
  • Free Speech Directive: This order claims to protect Americans' constitutional right to free speech. It accuses the federal government of violating this right by using efforts to fight "misinformation" as an excuse to censor people. Essentially, the order prohibits federal agencies from silencing or limiting people’s voices online or elsewhere if their speech is legally protected by the First Amendment. Critics are concerned this could make it harder to address harmful misinformation, especially during emergencies like public health crises or elections.
  • National Emergency on Immigration: Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, focusing on immigration control. This included halting refugee admissions to the U.S. for at least four months and labeling certain criminal groups, like cartels and gangs, as foreign terrorist organizations. The administration argues these steps are necessary for national security, but opponents worry about the impact on vulnerable asylum seekers and whether this approach will disproportionately harm immigrant communities.
  • Energy Expansion and Environmental Rollbacks: Trump’s orders on energy aim to increase U.S. production of natural resources like oil and gas. He rolled back climate-related regulations from the Biden administration, including rules meant to encourage electric vehicle use and restrict liquefied natural gas exports. The administration justifies these actions as supporting energy independence and economic growth. However, environmental advocates warn this could worsen climate change, harm ecosystems, and undo progress toward cleaner energy sources.

There are numerous other orders and directives that have impacts. Communities are advised to stay informed about these policy changes, be prepared to engage in advocacy and legal efforts to protect the civil liberties they value.

As members of the ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, your involvement is crucial to monitoring the implementation of these orders and to support initiatives that uphold the principles of equality and justice for all. We invite you to engage with these topics, participate in our events, and contribute to our programming.

Contact Us

For more information about our events, initiatives, or to get involved, please visit our website or contact us.

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